Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The cigarette smoke scent lingered thick in the air throughout the bar where Kurogiri stood, a washcloth in hand, slowly wiping down the same spot for what felt like hours now. No one had walked in the bar all day. No summons from Tomura or orders from the master. Kurogiri was left to his own devices, keeping his mind occupied with the same task he has always known, tending to the bar. He never found this boring or useless, still a necessity in his vision. Still serving a purpose.

Cigarette smoke caught in the air blending in with his own wispy form. He didn’t notice Jin entering the room until he was already plopped down onto the bar stool. His mask was pulled up so his mouth was visible with a cigarette dangling from his lips. He didn’t look the best, he looked worn out, exhausted almost. Wordlessly, Jin’s hands clutched onto his mask like he didn’t know what to do with his hands. Without needing to ask, Kurogiri started preparing a strong alcoholic beverage. Kurogiri didn’t need a request, having made drinks for the man almost every day, Jin always asked for the same thing every time. A beer.

When Kurogiri slid the drink across the bar to Jin before going back to his repetitive motion of wiping down the surface. This time however with a listening ear. Knowing Jin, he is here for more than just a drink, with the lack of his usual chaotic energy and introduction, he needed to talk about something. Something serious and he knew Kurogiri wouldn’t judge for whatever comes out his mouth, always an attentive listener. Jin picks up his glass, taking a few sips, his other hand holding the burning cigarette. It hadn’t even been a minute of drinking before Jin’s thoughts tumbled out of his mouth.

“It’s about Atsuhiro,” Jin muttered carefully, like saying his name was sacred, taking a drag of his cigarette. “Mr. Compress. Y’know, wears a top hat, smug smirk behind that mask, stupidly dramatic.”

“I’m familiar with him,” Kurogiri spoke dryly. “We are comrades, after all.”

Jin chuckled into his drink, attempting to hide his giddy smile behind the glass. “I know you know him. Wait no I don't” He sighed, turning his head and facing away from the bartender’s gaze. “It’s more than that. You probably already know, don’t you? You’re observant like that.”

Kurogiri tilted his shadowy head slightly. “That you are in love with him?”

Jin froze. He should have expected the blunt response, this was Kurogiri he was talking to. The man was not known for being subtle in the way he spoke. Maybe that's what makes Jin trust him with vulnerable information.

“...Yes. No. Shut up.” Jin groaned, shoulders slumped as more words slipped out. “I love him. I hate the guy.” Jin cringes at that last part. The word "hate" when talking about Atsuhiro made his heart ache. It made him feel worse than he already did. The man he has been pining for months is now being reduced to his contradictory way of talking. He can’t help it most of the time but that doesn’t make him feel even less unworthy than he already is.

Kurogiri’s stoic voice broke through the awkward silence. “It is not hard to notice. With the way you look at him like he is the only person in the room. The way you talk about him to me. I believe this has been your 5th time you spoke about him this week.”

Jin’s eyes widened, even visible behind the mask. “You keep notice?” Jin felt embarrassment creeping up from asking that question, instantly regretting asking.

Kurogiri gives a simple nod to Jin’s question but does not give a further explanation. The silence stretched further. Jin sat with it, before finally speaking again, quieter this time. “He is way out of my league.” a soft nervous slipped out, struggling to continue but he did anyway. “He always calls me ‘dearest comrade’ and it makes my heart explode. I hate it.” He cursed under his breath for his conflicting speech. “He never treats me like I’m broken. And he could, I wouldn’t blame him if he did, but he doesn’t. He is not a mess. Not like me.”

Kurogiri refilled Jin’s glass, even though it was barely touched. “Three days ago,” he said. “He came to me with the same worry.”

Jin's head snapped up immediately, hoping he didn’t hear differently. “What? No way!”

Kurogiri nodded again. “He thinks you are too good for him.” He continued. “Says he doesn’t want to drag you down in his issues. Believes that you deserve someone who can give you the fullest. Someone less… closed off.” He was speaking in his usual monotone voice but to Jin, it felt like a lightning bolt had struck him.

A moment passes before Jin lets out a laugh, “So we are both idiots then.” He leaned back, tension softening in his shoulders. “Not Compress, though. He is perfect.” Jin argued with himself. For once he agreed with himself on that. He took another swig of his drink and his heart felt lighter.

Kurogiri’s yellow eyes glowed faintly behind the bar. “I wouldn’t disagree with that.”

Three days earlier…

The door to the bar swung open with a flourish, a flash of a yellow coat caught Kurogiri’s vision. Mr. Compress stepped inside, top hat tucked under one arm, his mask held in his hand. The low light of the bar danced gracefully around the magician. “Kurogiri,” he said with a hint of urgency. “A listening ear is required if you would be so kind.” He quickly slid on the barstool without waiting for a reply.

Kurogiri was polishing a glass before looking up to acknowledge Atsuhiro. “I’m listening.” He replied in his usual monotone voice. Already started preparing a drink to Atsuhiro’s taste.

Atsuhiro gave a grateful nod, silently thanking him. He hesitated before speaking, thinking about each word carefully. “It’s about Jin.”

“Of course it is,” Kurogiri said simply, he knew the moment the door opened.

The lack of judgment in Kurogiri’s presence alone gave Atsuhiro the confidence to continue. “I admire him. Not just for his talents but his heart. The way he’d risk everything to protect this small gang of mere criminals.” He gave a more thoughtful, less theatrical pause. “It's inspiring and terrifying. A beautiful contradiction just like himself.”

Kurogiri watched in silence, still listening as he slid the finished drink to Atsuhiro.

Atsuhiro took the drink with a soft murmur of thanks. “I fear I don’t measure up.” He admitted, fingers curling around his drink. “I don’t know how to open up like he does. I’ve never known how to match that kind of adoration and loyalty.”

Kurogiri’s washcloth stilled in his hand. Studying the man before speaking,  “I see the way he looks at you,” He says evenly. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he thinks you are too good for him.” A silence passed before Kurogiri continued, even more seriously. “If you don’t see a future with him, don’t give him false hope. A heartbroken Jin would completely ruin the league's morale. Teamwork is crucial, especially now.”

Atsuhiro understood the severity of Kurogiri’s words. Jin was not someone who bounced back easily from emotional wounds and he would hate to be the fault of that ever happening. Atsuhiro’s heart however had already made up its mind. “I want nothing more than to be with him, more than anything.” He said firmly, taking a sip of his drink before continuing. “I just don’t know how to let someone in.”

“Perhaps that is something you learn together with Jin,” Kurogiri replied, still with zero sentiment but his words were not any less important. “If anyone is going to help you with that part of yourself, it’s Jin.”

Atsuhiro gave his usual smirk, finishing the last sip of his drink before slipping his mask back into place. “So we both believe to be unworthy.” He stands up, preparing to leave. “How poetic and tragic.”

“Romantic.” Kurogiri offered.

“Only if it goes somewhere,” Atsuhiro replied with an attempt of optimism as he finally walked through the door.

Back to the present ...  

Kurogiri had just finished explaining to Jin about his earlier exchange with Atsuhiro, hoping to offer him peace of mind. Jin leaned back on his stool, arms hanging loosely by his side. “Even knowing all that, I’m still not ready to confess to him,” he muttered, head tilted up to the ceiling. “Probably never will.”

Kurogiri calmly picks up Jin’s empty glass and starts to wash it. “Whatever happens I will support you any way I can,” he said, voice controlled. “But I believe Atsuhiro would appreciate it if you tried.”

A genuine smile crosses Jin to Kurogiri, appreciating his words. “Man, I'm glad you are here. Big feelings are a lot easier to deal with when you have someone to dump’ em on.” He stands up, getting ready to leave, tugging his mask down fully over his head. “Sorry for the emotional vomit by the way.” He spoke in his usually animated gestures.

Kurogiri gave a silent nod for a reply, accepting the apology without judgement.

Jin was almost out the door before making a sudden stop to spin around, nearly forgetting to say something important. “You're not gonna tell him anything, are ya?”

“I won’t,” Kurogiri said smoothly.

It was a lie, mostly anyway. Kurogiri fully intends to tell Atsuhiro the next time he sees him, hoping that it gets somewhere in their budding relationship. Now knowing that both men are pining for each other, he saw nothing wrong with a little pushing in the right direction.

Jin finally left, a smile under his mask when he walked through the door to his private room. Kurogiri glanced up at the cracked clock on the wall. It was getting late. Now finally Kurogiri remained alone, the silence amplifying every thought in his mind, leaving only the sound of his contorted thoughts and the leaky tap on the bar.

Then...

“You are not even listening to me, Shouta!”

“I'm listening. I’m just choosing to ignore you.”

Two opposing voices sliced through his hollow mind, they were unfamiliar and vivid. Kurogiri stiffened, raising a hand to his head, hoping to calm the voices. Before he could make sense of it,  a third voice spoke. A voice full of warmth,  full of laughter. A warmth Kurogiri never remembered feeling. A memory. It felt like a memory.

“Hizashi just ask him out already !”

The voice faded with laughter. Laughter like it came from a bright wide smile. The faces attached to these voices were unrecognisable, but the feelings stayed. Comfort, affection but also frustration. Like he was standing in the middle of it all. A middleman between two opposite hearts with poor communication.

The sudden sound of the door opening caused Kurogiri to snap out of his current dilemma, looking up at the intruder. Atsuhiro was standing at the door, glancing around.

“I believe I left my coat here.” The magician said casually. Though Kurogiri knew that Atsuhiro was here for another reason. He wasn’t just here for his coat. Kurogiri's yellow eyes honed.

“It’s hanging where you always leave it,” Kurogiri replied, gesturing towards the coat lounging on the chair.

Atsuhiro walked up to retrieve the coat, pulling the long yellow trench coat around himself, giving a nod as thanks. An awkward weight in the air, hesitating to say something before leaving. “Did Jin say anything to you by any chance?”

Kurogiri's suspicions were correct. Jin was still on his mind and now he was going to break earlier Jin’s promise with little regret. “Many things, including how he thinks you are too good for him.”

Atsuhiro’s face softens, his mask of composure slipping into a wistful look. “He would say something like that,” he said, almost laughing. “ I was planning on telling him today. But he laughed at something Dabi said, and I thought maybe he would be better off without me. I will be happy if he is happy. Even if I am not in the picture.”

Kurogri fixed him with a deadpan stare, not appreciating Atsuhiro for not taking the situation as seriously as he should. “Don’t be dramatic. We both know Jin will be happier with you.”

Atsuhiro lets out a breathless chuckle at Kurogiri’s flat expression, knowing he was being a bit melodramatic. Kurogiri was right and that makes Atsuhiro’s chest tight in a strange but hopeful way. He finally left the room with a final nod, the yellow of his coat fading down the hallway.

Kurogiri was left alone once again.

The night settles with the two pining stubborn villains left in their separate rooms, wondering when their feelings will finally spill. Kurogiri’s mind however still remained on those distant voices in his head, about a situation similar to his own. Full of the same struggle, the same fear, and the same unspoken hope.

Chapter Text

Pacing the hideout hallway had become a norm for Jin. Whenever his head got too loud, he was seen doing the repetitive motion, muttering to himself like a broken record. Today’s current dilemma was whether or not to bother Kurogiri again. It would be the third time this week. One side of his mind argued that he was irritating the bartender, the other half craved closure.

“You already saw him yesterday! He is sick of ya!” One voice shouted in his head.

“Kurogiri doesn’t mind. That’s what he is here for. Right?” The more high-pitched voice argued back.

Jin groaned in frustration as he gripped his blond locks. He silently cursed himself for leaving his mask back in his room , he was confident he didn’t need it. He quickly lit a cigarette from his jeans pocket, the temporary solution to a permanent problem calming his mind. His hands shook as he flicked the lighter, his concentration causing him to not notice the silent presence behind him.

He turned around sharply causing him to collide with the main source of his overthinking. Jin hit straight into Atsuhiro’s prosthetic arm , it hurt like hell. 

“OWOW! Sorry! You okay? DAMN THAT HURT!” Jin stumbled back, holding his shoulder.

Atsuhiro was immediately startled, blinking behind one of his white theatre masks, just a basic one marked with a cross, “I apologise dear Twice , I was not expecting you to turn around so fast.” A hint of a tease could be sensed from his deep chuckle, his voice smooth as ever. “As a magician, I trained myself on predicting the unpredictable, and yet with you Jin I still find myself surprised.”

Jin gave a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck, and his contradicting thoughts came to a halt. Atsuhiro called him by his real name and it did wonders for his rapid heart. “I was on my way to see Kurogiri,” he blurted. “He’s great for y’know… when you want to let your thoughts spill.”

Atsuhiro tilted his head thoughtfully. “Interesting. I was about to do the exact same thing.” 

A silence fell. 

During the silence, Jin’s mind betrayed him. Imagining Atsuhiro and Kurogiri in pleasant conversation. A scene where the magician looked happy with someone, helping him through his personal struggles. It seemed odd. He didn’t view Atsuhiro as someone who needed comfort. He was perfect in Jin’s mind. Almost untouchable. Those thoughts only sharpened Jin’s inferiority even more. Atsuhiro really deserves better.

“I guess we are both messed up then.” Jin internally cringed at saying that. It felt wrong but anything to not stupidly speak his inner thoughts out loud.  

Atsuhiro nods in agreement, unaware of Jin’s troubling thoughts. “It’s refreshing to have at least one mature person among us , Kurogiri is a surprisingly great listener.” 

Jin felt his stomach plummet. Atsuhiro would never be into someone like himself , Kurogiri was only humouring him yesterday when he said Atsuhiro was into him. “ Yeah yeah, he is like the league’s unlicensed therapist.” 

Another silence, even more awkward than before. Jin decides to finally leave before he embarrasses himself even more . “I uh I am just going to get my mask, forgot it in my room. GOODNIGHT!.” Jin blurted before he stormed through the door, without a single glance back, leaving Atsuhiro half amused and half curious. 

Atsuhiro looked at the boarded window, sunlight streaming through it. “Goodnight?” he questioned. It was 3 p.m. at most. I guess living in such a dark location warps someone's perception of time, Atsuhiro thought to himself. He lingered for a moment, wishing the conversation could have gone more productive, but alas he didn’t want to make the man more uncomfortable than he looked. Jin was shaken up by something, not a rare sight but a sight that still concerned Atsuhiro. With a quiet sigh, he gave himself a mental reminder to check up on Jin later before stepping into the bar to meet Kurogiri.

Later that day, around midnight, Kurogiri stood in his usual spot, quietly cleaning glasses as always. He had just been conversing with Atsuhiro earlier that day . Unsurprisingly about Jin. He’d overheard them awkwardly interact outside the bar. Kurogiri was expecting Jin to come by for his regular discussions by now , he couldn’t stop pacing outside earlier. He was not wrong. A head pops cautiously out the door. 

It was Jin, his mask on but scrunched up for a lit cigarette to rest in his mouth. It’s glow casting against this blonde hair, poking out of his mask. He looked around the room, scanning for Atsuhiro. No sign of him , it was safe. He walked in cautiously, taking a seat on the bar stool.

“Hey Kuro! I request something strong to wash the pain of dramatic men away.” Jin shouted from across the room, throwing finger guns.

“Extinguish the cigarette before anymore speaking,” Kurogiri said in his stern voice, gesturing to the ashtray on the bar. “I am still trying to enforce a no smoking indoors rule after Dabi caused that… earlier incident.” He starts preparing a glass of whiskey.

Jin was hesitant before following through. Stubbing his cigarette in the ashtray with exaggerated reluctance. “Okay, smokey.” He took sips of his drink.

“I had a dream last night,” he muttered after a moment of silence. “About him.”

Kurogiri slowly turned, facing him. He paused the motion of his cloth to hear out the man sitting in front of him. He knew the rhythm by now , Jin would come in with any detail about his feelings for Atsuhiro. He grew not to mind it, a much-needed change of pace to his usual simple routine.

So much for washing the pain away.

“It was a good one. Too good.” Jin continued. “I was confident, y’know? I looked good. Told Atsuhiro how I felt.”

Kurogiri nodded, letting him continue. 

“And he said it back. His eyes were so soft and his hands! HIS SEXY HANDS. Cradled my face like I was something precious. My legs went all jelly.” Jin grinned giddily before laying his head into his folded arms on the bar. “Then we kissed. It was so awkward but it was cute awkward, with an adorable nose bump and everything.” Jin groaned, his voice muffled. “He’s so fucking cute!” 

Kurogiri remained silent, which Jin didn’t mind. The silence was his greatest strength.

“But let’s be real,” Jin said, slowly sitting upright. “That's not happening.” 

Kurogiri’s eyebrows furrowed. “And why not?” his voice raised slightly. 

“ Because ” Jin raises his hands up. “He deserves better. He deserves a gentleman like … like YOU!” He pointed a finger at Kurogiri.

Kurogiri paused. “Me?”

“Yeah! You're smooth, stable , you clean up after everyone. Tall, mysterious, classy. You’d treat him right!” 

For once, Kurogiri was too stunned to speak, “Jin he has feelings for you! I thought you knew that!”

“You say that but I know what he deserves!” Jin muttered, looking away. “He is perfect! I would only just drag him down..” His voice fell with a sombre before picking up again. “Honestly? I would ship you two over me any day.” he joked, trying to lighten the mood. 

Unknowingly to Jin, Atsuhiro was just outside the door. He had just finished some personal criminal business and intended to get a cup of tea from Kurogiri before getting some much-needed sleep. His ears picked up on Jin’s words. He was horrified at what was spoken . 

He pushed the door dramatically, a way only a magician could pull off. “I beg your pardon!”

Jin was startled so hard that he nearly fell off his stool. “OH UH  Compress! Hey! How long were you..?”

“Long enough for you to hear you are matchmaking me with Kurogiri of all people!” Atsuhiro’s voice was sharp and theatrical.

Kurogiri remained quiet , he could sense something arising.

Jin winced as Atsuhiro raised his voice. “Are you mad? OF COURSE, HE'S MAD IDIOT! He’s mad he’s mad he’s mad.”

Atsuhiro exhaled slowly, leveling his tone. “I’m not mad. Just … perplexed. Of all the possible thoughts you could come up with in that chaotic head of yours, you decided me and Kurogiri would be well matched?

“I mean… yeah? He’s classy, well spoken. You like that right?”

“I mean yes , he is a respectable man,” Atsuhiro gestures to the bartender. “but he lacks qualities I want in a partner.”

“He’s not my type as one might put it.”

Jin blinked quickly. “Wait! So Kurogiri isn’t your type?”

“With all due respect,” Atsuhiro glanced towards Kurogiri, then quickly averted his eyes. “My type is someone who makes life entertaining, lively, and warm. And someone with a face for a start.” His voice cracked “Someone like..” 

He manages to stop himself before continuing, not wanting to reveal his feelings like this.

Both Kurogiri and Jin stare. Atsuhiro's throat tightened , he had never felt so nervous in his life. “Besides,” he adds, attempting to change the subject. “I view Kurogiri as family. I would appreciate it if you don’t romanticize our relationship in the future Twice.” 

He looks away. “I only came for tea , I will be leaving shortly.”

Jin’s brain short-circuited. He opened his mouth for apologies but no words came. The self-depreciation crept up. The way Atsuhiro said just his villain name. Twice. Cold like he was just a stranger. He was just getting used to being called by his real name instead it’s sending Jin into a silent panic. 

Kurogiri finishes preparing the tea , handing it over to the magician without a word.

Atsuhiro takes a quick sip as he walks through the door. He steps light and composed, not making a sound, contrasting to the tension he left behind. Amplifying the awkward silence surrounding the room.

As soon as Atsuhiro was out of sight down the hallway, Jin’s silent panic started to show. “NO, NO, NO, I messed up so badly!” he cried, crouching on the floor, tightly pulling his blonde hair as his mask fell onto the floor. “Why did I say that?!”

Kurogiri spoke up with a rare frustration, “He’s upset because you are assuming what's best for him!” His voice was slightly raised , the most emotion Jin had seen from him. “I told you he has feelings for you, Jin but you just didn’t listen!” 

“I screwed up. Why do I always screw up…” Jin mumbled into his sleeves. “HE HATES YOU, GOOD RIDDANCE.” He curses to himself gripping his hair tighter, tears pricking at his eyes.

He continued, “I thought I was being noble,” He whispered. “I thought I was doing a good thing.” 

Kurogiri did the unthinkable, he stood in place behind the counter, he used his mist to cautiously pick up Jin’s mask from the floor. He adjusted the mask on the man’s face mask until it was resting perfectly and securely. “Mr. Compress chose to carry the league’s burdens, he is no stranger to damaged souls,” he said calmly. “In fact, I think he knows personally what it's like to be scarred. He is not perfect and it's important that you understand that.”

Jin’s throat bobbed, his eyes close to tears. He is unsure what to say but feels calmer with his mask keeping him whole.

“I suggest you go talk to him and work things out,” Kurogiri said, more calmly this time. “And realise this Jin . You made a mess of things, yes but Atsuhiro loves you. A single mistake is not going to ruin things between you.”

Jin slowly stands back, Kurogiri’s words calming him down. “Why is this so hard..” rubbing his mask with both hands, hiding any evidence of tears.

“Because you are both making it harder than it needs to be,” Kurogiri replied flatly. “Frankly, I am  disappointed in Atsuhiro too , he should have known better than to make a big deal out of something so minuscule.”

“Hey! He is just dramatic like that!” Jin shot back, in a defensive tone. 

“You are both dramatic,” Kurogiri replied flatly but his mist curled ever so slightly, like in amusement. “It is not about being perfect. It's about showing up.”

“Whatever! I am going to go fix it” He downs the rest of his whiskey like a shot before rushing out the door. “See ya smokey !” he calls from down the hallway.

Jin left before Kurogiri could say his goodbyes. A silence settles over the bar. And th e…

“He doesn’t listen!”

That voice. Again. Crawling back into Kurogiri’s mind for a second time.

“Shouta you can’t keep me guessing everything. I am not a mind reader!” 

A more cold voice answered.

“You make everything a joke. I can’t take anything seriously with you.”

A warm awkward laugh followed. Not mocking, just warm.

“ Guys come on! It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up.”

Kurogiri was stunned. The words from the unknown voice were the same words used in an attempt to calm Jin. And yet, the voice was not his, not even close. The voice was comforting, young, gentle, and yet still sounded familiar. No one answered after that but he didn’t need any more. 

He was unfamiliar with his life before knowing All for One but Kurogiri couldn’t help but feel nostalgic by these voices. And for the first time, he is hoping they become a regular occurrence as his hands resume polishing the glass at the bar.

Atsuhiro sat on the edge of his bed. The cup of tea in his hands had soon turned cool. His mask was placed loosely in one hand, and his top hat was off, lying beside him. He didn’t notice Jin was standing right outside his room for longer than what was reasonable. 

Jin lifted his hand to knock on three separate occasions but chickened out each time. His self-deprecating thoughts didn’t slow down.

Why did I say all of that? Why did I have to ruin everything by opening my stupid mouth?

Finally, he knocked, sounding as confident as he could whilst trying to control his breathing. 

“Kurogiri, I request I be alon e.” came the deep polite voice behind the door.

Atsuhiro was expecting Kurogiri to leave him alone, but what followed was a quiet defeat. “ It’s me…” 

Atsuhiro’s heart stopped. It was Jin. 

He quickly puts on a brave face, putting on his mask and top hat in place . He hadn’t expected Jin to come to see him outright. Especially this fast. He stood to slowly open the door . On the other side, Jin was fidgeting with his sleeve, looking towards his feet. 

“Hey,” Jin said, forcing a crooked grin. “You got a minute? A few seconds? The whole evening? Whatever is easiest for you of course. No pressure!”

Atsuhiro tilted his head, “I suppose I can spare a few minutes of my time.” He said, with an edge of practiced theatricality, trying to mask his hurt with his usual bravado persona. It sounded like a joke but it didn’t land like one. He turned and walked into his room, gracefully sitting back on his bed, picking up his cold cup of tea.

Jin followed after him carefully, awkward and hesitant. He chose not to sit down, not wanting to be comfortable. He felt like he was going to be kicked out any second. He takes a second to look around Atsuhiro’s room. It was neat but basic, Jin was expecting a little more flamboyance. I guess being a villain on the run doesn’t allow such luxuries. The room smelt of tea and old wood, a dim lamp was softly lighting the room in a yellow hue. 

“Are you upset?” Jin asked quietly, preparing himself for Atsuhiro’s answer. “Please be honest.”

Atsuhiro immediately shook his head. “No, I am not upset. Just tired. It’s been a long day.” he was half telling the truth, not wanting to see Jin worried any further. 

“I still want to apologise.” Jin wrung his hands. “About what I said about you and Kurogiri. It was not fair for either of you.”

Atsuhiro didn’t speak. Not yet , wanting to let Jin continue. 

“It was a dumb joke,” Jin blurted but immediately corrected himself. “Scratch that , it wasn’t a joke. Just my brain being stupid ”

Atsuhiro arched a brow behind his mask. “What did you mean by that?”

“I meant that… you deserve perfect, not necessarily Kurogiri but someone similar y’know ?” Jin starts pacing across the room. “Because you are well…You deserve normal, dependable. Not a walking mess of issues and regret.”  

His voice cracked at the end, knowing he said more than he wanted to admit. “Ok, I definitely said way too much. I should get going. See ya around-!”

Atsihiro cuts him off before Jin can dash through the door. “You think I want perfect?”

Jin stilled his movements. “...No, I think you should.”

“It’s different.”

The familiar ache returned to Atsuhiro’s chest from those words. The ache of watching the one he loves tear himself apart and still missing the point. 

“Jin,” he said softly. “Do you think I am perfect?” 

Jin didn’t want to answer that question. Atsuhiro doesn’t need to push him. The silence was telling enough.

Atsuhiro lets out a sigh, his hands clenching at his sides. “I appreciate your apology Jin , just know this doesn’t affect our friendship. I figured you were probably worrying about that.”

Jin let out a breathy laugh . Half relief, half disbelief. “ Yeah well, you and the league are all I’ve got. You’re all precious to me.” You are precious to me … he kept that last thought to himself.

“I apologize as well.” Atsuhiro gently added. “I made this petty ordeal more dramatic than it needed to be. It's not fair to you.”

Jin smiled, he felt lighter that Atsuhiro was in higher spirits. “ Nah it’s fine. I expect nothing more from you magic man. YOU SCARED ME TO DEATH OK .”

Atsuhiro let out a real heart-deep laugh before standing up to walk over to Jin. “It’s getting late Jin , but before you go I just wanted to say this. You don’t have to fix everything in one night. But I try to believe that someday you let yourself believe you are not broken or unworthy. I don’t want perfect.” He takes his mask off to give Jin a quick wink before placing the mask back in place. “Some of the best performances happen despite the difficulty.” 

Jin flushes at the wink and laughs but it wasn’t a bitter one this time. “Big hope.” 

“I have a lot of hope,” Atsuhiro said softly. “Especially when it comes to you.”

Jin's heart squeezed at Atsuhiro’s words, feeling a safe warmness inside. As he was just about to leave, he spotted Atsuhiro’s unfinished tea on his bedside table. “You barely touched your tea, you know! Poor Kurogiri worked hard on that for you.”

Atsuhiro looks towards the tea and recoils, “I am afraid our beloved bartender has been lacking in his tea-making skills lately, but I guess it's rude for a gentleman to refuse.”

Atsuhiro removes his mask including his balaclava before picking up the tea. With his full face on display, he fluffies his flattened curls with his fingers. He takes a sip, braving the lukewarm taste.

Jin couldn’t help but stare. The man was so beautiful, it should be illegal. This wasn’t the first time Jin has seen Atsuhiro’s full face but it still always catches him off guard every time.  

Atsuhiro notices Jin’s stares as he tries to hide his blush behind the cup, taking a sip before wincing at the taste. An adorable shy act, one only Jin would get to see out of this man. It was going to be the death of them.

SO FUCKING CUTE!

Days later, Kurogiri was tending the bar as usual. He picked up that his late-night heart-to-hearts with the smitten villains had gotten around. Spinner was seated and he knew everything.

“You should start charging them,” Spinner said, not looking up from his handheld console. “You could probably earn a fortune.”

Kurogiri gave him a side eye, “They have no money to give. I am just helping because serving is all I know. Love is still a problem everyone faces . Even us villains.

“Yeah, I kinda like it even if they are so awkwardly painful to look at together. It makes us villains feel more human, you know?.” Spinner said with a hopeful face, before being interrupted by a giggle across the room, it was Toga.

“Those two are so cute and in love, even if they are so bad at it.” She twirls around the room like a child on a sugar rush. “Surprising because I thought the two oldest villains in the league would be more experienced in the name of love.”

“Toga I don’t think villains like us have experience in love,” Spinner said in his usual gruff voice.

Toga started to whine , as a girl who wants love more than anything hearing those words was the bane of her existence.

Kurogiri watched with mild amusement. He can't help but feel happy that Jin and Atsuhiro’s love is giving the hideout a sense of warmth and hope for the others, even when they still have not taken that first step towards confessing. And so the dance of mutual dance continues, with Korugiri watching every second of it, serving drinks and wisdom in equal measure.